Helena weekly herald., 1887-11-17
aaron two walters from the restaurant
az - .ox.ors tbo;r hraoLfaSt

Ia,,,.y ~, aberiffs to their various positions
l,,p;rc 1up the event 1t was announced that
- Folz with three deputies would con-
80 the prisoners to the scaffold and SUI
nsrintend the actual hanging.
Pew DR.. Bolten arrived at 7:45 and
,oesed into the cell room. Passing first
INTO Parsons cell, he attempted to engage
the doomed Texan in religious conversa-
ion Parsons had not yet finished his
breakfast What passed between them
was not divulged.
In the meantime Spies had called for
some paper and an envelope. When they
were furnished him he began writing. He
was interrupted by the sheriff, who ac-
cosfed him and stood in front of the cell
door while they talked. The sheriff took
notes of the conversation and passed on.
Writing materials were furnished to Par
sons and Fischer, who Immediately set
about preparing statements.
Engel made no request for pen or paper
but sat stolidly on his bed, looking at the
opposite wall Of his cell.
At 91O a. III. Chief Deputy Gleason
arrived with the fatal documents author
izinp the execution, and Gleason imme-
diatelv went into close conference with the
Sheriff in private apartment, that was
locked and bolted at once on the inside.
While they were still comforting Spies in
ternal fever had so increased as to induce
him to order a glass OF Rhine wine, which
was brought to his cell and swallowed at
gulp. A few minutes were then occu-
pied by him in writing autographs for
officers attached TO the Sheriff7s office
The prisoners were asked if there was
any desire for stimulants, and all save
Engel alone replied in the negative. En-
gel asked for some port wine. 1t was given
him at once and he gulped down three
large glasses. Spies requested water and,
seemingly consumed by burning thirst,
swallowed nearly two tumblers OF the
pure, clear liquid. While standing in front
of Engels cell, DR.. Bolton was in danger
of becoming involved in religious con-
troversy, for the condemned men boldly
combatted the propositions OF the divine.
Within few minutes a message came
from Mrs. Parsons, through the bailiff, ap-
plying at the jail for admission. The re-
quest was sternly refused.
Outside the Jail everything has been
quiet. No one without pass Is allowed
within block of the building, and strong
bodies of police, armed with Winchester
rifles guard every approach. There is the
usual crowd of idlers around in the street
as near the building as they are allowed to
approach The police have kept them
moving and perfect order has prevailed.
A little ripple of excitement occurred at
7:30, when Mrs Parsons and Mrs. Holmes
went up to the police lines and demanded
admission. They were refused and re-
quested to move on. They declined to do
this, and became rather violent IN their
talk, at which they were arrested without
further ceremony and taken to the police
station There was no demonstration or
expression of sympathy on the part OF the
crowd.
At $50 the information was licked from
the Associated Press telegraph instrument,
a few feet distant from the cell, that Cap
tain Black was that very moment again
pleading with Governor Oglesby at Spring
field. The message was handed to Sheriff
Matson, who glanced at it but said nothing.
Five minutes later the Sheriff emerged and
in reply to a chorus of inquiry, said
phlegmatically that he had mot Just fixed
the time as yet"
At ten o'clock Parsons, Fischer and
Spies asked for twenty minutes each on
the gallows, in which to make speeches
The Sheriff did not Immediately return
Il
began singing the Marseillaise, in which
the other prisoners joined
The voice of Fischer was round and full,
but quivering just tritie. The reporters
pressed close about the cage and listened
till the deep tones died away into silence.
The song lasted two minutes.
Adiutant General Vance OF the State
militia, came into the Jail at 10 o'clock
Jtof al oil OF q
sheriff. About this time Police Inspector
Bontield, who commanded the police at
Haymarket, entered the jail looking as
grim as he did within half an hour after
the famous bomb massacre.
Chief Deputy Gleason declared that the
papers were simply the official notice of
the communication OF Schwab and Fielden.
The manuscripts which spies, Parsons and
Fischer spent portion of the morning IN
preparing were in part written statements,
the nature of which would not be diyulged
by any of the officials. These were de-
livered into the hands of Clerk Price, who
turned them over to the sheriff, and this
official locked them in his personal safe.
It was stated by the sheriff that Spies,
Parson and Fischer have IN addition writ
ten letters, which he had also securely
IOChtu vi IdlsOuS lcIlcI W do cuuicSocu
to his wife and children, that of Fischer
goes to his wife, but the address on that of
Spies the sheriff refuses to divulge. 1t is
supposed it will reach Miss Van Zandt.
Before 10 o'clock DR.. Gray went in to
the prisoners bearing in his hands three |
wine glasses and a bottle of Jarvis brandy |
with which to brace up the men. All of |
them partook of the stimulants.
aIx If
bravado. Soon after singing Marseillaise
he spoke to turnkey Stubbein, laughing
When l get to heaven I'll put in good
word for you"
When Fischer woke up this morning he
turned to one of the officers and said Il
dreamed about Germany last night" Then
he relapsed into silence for long period.
Following closely upon the telegram
that Governor Oglesby had decided once
for all, the greatest hustle and excitement
prevailed in the Jail Office, but Spies In
his cell continued writing uninterruptedly,
and the others remained equally nonchalant,
the confusion that marked
the beginning of the end.
The rattling OF chairs, tables and
benches continued for several minutes but
by HOS there began to fall hush and
among the crowd fell almost
to a whisper The bare whitewashed
walls made painful contrast with the
dark brown gallows with its four noOsed
ropes dropping ominously near the floor.
A gloom of sunshine shooting through the
window at this moment fell on the corner
)f the death machine and in a slight de-
gree relieved its sombre hue.
The chief bailiff began at lilo calling